Electronic devices with structural glass members

ABSTRACT

Electronic devices may be provided having internal components mounted to a structural glass support member. The structural glass support member may have a planar front surface that forms a front surface of the device. The structural glass support member may have bent portions that form sidewall surfaces of the device. Portions of the structural glass support member may form a transparent display cover layer. A rigid or flexible display may be mounted to the structural glass support member. Additional internal device components may be mounted to the display. A thin enclosure for enclosing the internal components in the device may be mounted to the structural glass support member. The thin enclosure may be mounted to the structural glass support member using a peripheral member. The thin enclosure may be free from attachments to internal components or may be adhesively bonded to one or more internal components.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application is a continuation patent application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 16/886,532, filed May 28, 2020 and titled“Electronic Devices with Structural Glass Members,” which is acontinuation patent application of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/138,913, filed Sep. 21, 2018 and titled “Electronic Devices withStructural Glass Members,” now U.S. Pat. No. 10,712,774, which is acontinuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/840,913, filed Dec.13, 2017 and titled “Electronic Devices with Structural Glass Members,”now U.S. Pat. No. 10,691,165, which is a continuation patent applicationof U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/310,409, filed Dec. 2, 2011 andtitled “Electronic Devices with Structural Glass Members,” now U.S. Pat.No. 9,864,403, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated byreference herein in their entireties.

BACKGROUND

This relates generally to electronic devices, and more particularly, toelectronic devices having structural glass support members.

Electronic devices such as portable computers and cellular telephonesare often provided with rigid housings made from plastic, metal orcomposite materials that serve as support structures for devicecomponents. A rigid housing commonly serves as the primary mountingstructure onto which device components are assembled. Internalcomponents such as batteries, printed circuit boards and displays arecommonly mounted to the rigid housings. Transparent display cover layersmade from plastic or glass are typically mounted to the rigid housing.Device components such as display cover layers are often mounted torigid housings using adhesives or mechanical mounting members.

Mounting device components to rigid housing support structures putsvarious functional requirements such as requirements on rigidity,strength, and shape of the rigid housing. Mounting device components torigid housing support structures may require additional mechanicalcomponents for mounting components to the rigid housing supportstructures. Functional requirements on rigid housing support structuresand additional mechanical components mounted in the rigid housing mayincrease the volume, width, height, or depth of a device making thedevice less aesthetically pleasing and less desirable to consumers in amarket that values lighter, thinner devices.

It would therefore be desirable to provide improved electronic deviceshaving simplified housing structures.

SUMMARY

Electronic devices may be provided with structural glass supportmembers. A structural glass support member may be configured to form aplanar front surface for the device. The structural glass support membermay be configured to form planar rear and sidewall surfaces for thedevice. Internal device components may be mounted to the structuralglass support members. The structural glass support members may functionas a primary structural member for the device.

The electronic device may have a rigid or flexible display. The rigid orflexible display may be mounted on an internal surface of the structuralglass support member. The structural glass support member may form atransparent cover layer for the flexible display so that the display isvisible through the structural glass support member. The display mayinclude multiple display layers attached to each other using adhesive.Adhesive bonds between display layers may be able to support mounting ofdevice components to the display. Displays may include a touch-sensitivelayer that allows a user to provide touch input to an electronic device.Display pixels on a display may be used to display visual information tothe user through the structural glass support member.

The electronic device may have internal components such as batteries,printed circuit boards, rigid or flexible integrated circuits or othercomponents. Internal components may be mounted to the display usingadhesive materials or other mounting mechanisms.

The electronic device may have an enclosure attached to the structuralglass support member. The enclosure may be a cosmetic covering thatblocks internal components mounted to the structural glass supportmember from view. The enclosure may be provided with ergonomic featuresdesigned to enhance the feel of a device to a user. The enclosure may beexclusively mounted to the structural glass support member or may haveportions mounted to one or more internal device components. Theenclosure may have a thickness that is less than the thickness of thestructural glass support member. The structural glass support member maybe provided with one or more mounting features on or near an edge of thestructural glass support member. Mounting features may include openingsin the structural glass support member, surface features on a surface ofthe structural glass support member, or additional mounting componentsattached to the structural glass support member. The enclosure may bemounted to the structural glass support member using a peripheralmember. The peripheral member may include molded portions formed inopenings in the structural glass support member.

Further features of the invention, its nature and various advantageswill be more apparent from the accompanying drawings and the followingdetailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an illustrative electronic device withstructural glass support member in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded side view of an illustrative electronic devicehaving a planar structural glass support member in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an exploded cross-sectional side view of an illustrativeelectronic device having a convex structural glass support member inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an exploded cross-sectional side view of an illustrativeelectronic device having a structural glass support member with bentportions that form sidewall structures in accordance with an embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an exploded cross-sectional side view of an illustrativeelectronic device having multiple structural glass support members withbent portions that form sidewall structures in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an illustrative electronic device havinga tubular structural glass support member with and a component insert inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional side view of a portion of an illustrativeelectronic device in the vicinity of an interface between an enclosureand a structural glass support member in accordance with an embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional side view of a portion of an illustrativeelectronic device in the vicinity of an interface between an enclosureand a structural glass support member with a notch in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional side view of a portion of an illustrativeelectronic device in the vicinity of an interface between an enclosureand a structural glass support member with a bent portion that forms asidewall in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional side view of a portion of an illustrativeelectronic device in the vicinity of a fastener at an interface betweenan enclosure and a structural glass support member with a bent portionthat forms a sidewall in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional side view of a portion of an illustrativeelectronic device in the vicinity of an interface between an enclosureand a structural glass support member that has mounting holes inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 a top view of a portion of an illustrative structural glasssupport member that has mounting holes with protective members inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a portion of an illustrative structuralglass support member that has a protective member on an edge of thestructural glass support member in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a portion of an illustrative structuralglass support member that has a protective member on a flange of thestructural glass support member in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional side view of a portion of an illustrativestructural glass support member that has surface features on peripheraledge of the structural glass support member for mounting a protectivemember in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional side view of a portion of an illustrativestructural glass support member that has surface features on aperipheral edge of the structural glass support member for mounting aprotective member in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional side view of a portion of an illustrativestructural glass support member that has surface features on peripheraledge of the structural glass support member for mounting a protectivemember in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a portion of an illustrative structuralglass support member that has a protective member on peripheral edge ofstructural glass support member having mounting holes in accordance withan embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a portion of an illustrative electronicdevice in the vicinity of a mounting member at an interface between anenclosure and a structural glass support member that has mounting holesin accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a portion of an illustrative electronicdevice in the vicinity of a mounting member at an interface between anenclosure having mounting holes and a structural glass support memberthat has mounting holes in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a portion of an illustrative electronicdevice in the vicinity of a mounting member at an interface between twostructural glass support members that have mounting holes in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An electronic device may be provided that has a structural glass supportmember.

An illustrative electronic device of the type that may be provided witha structural glass support member is shown in FIG. 1 . Electronic device10 may be a portable electronic device or other suitable electronicdevice. For example, electronic device 10 may be a laptop computer, atablet computer, a somewhat smaller device such as a wrist-watch device,pendant device, or other wearable or miniature device, a cellulartelephone, a media player, etc.

Device 10 may include a structural glass support member such asstructural glass support member 20 (sometimes referred to herein asglass support member, glass member, or structural glass). Structuralglass support member 20 may cover a portion, all, or substantially allof the outer surface of a display such as display 14. Structural glasssupport member 20 may form a planar or curved front surface for device10. Structural glass support member 20 may form a planar or curved rearsurface for device 10. Structural glass support member 20 may form oneor more planar or curved sidewall surfaces for device 10. Structuralglass support member 20 may be formed from a single piece of glass ormay be formed from more than one separate pieces of glass. Buttons suchas button 16 may pass through openings in structural glass supportmember 20. Openings may also be formed in the structural glass supportmember 20 to form a speaker port such as speaker port 18. Openings inenclosure 12 or structural glass support member 20 may be used to forminput-output ports, microphone ports, speaker ports, button opening,etc.

Glass member 20 may include mounting features for mounting an enclosuresuch as enclosure 12 to glass member 20. Mounting features may includesurface features, holes, flanges, notches, cutouts, etc. Glass member 20may be substantially planar, may have a convex or concave shape, mayform a U-channel, may form a glass tube structure into which an inserthaving operational components is inserted, or may have any other shape.Glass member 20 may be bent, formed, cut, slumped, etched, cast, molded,machined or otherwise shaped during manufacturing of device 10 to formsidewall structures, rear enclosures, curved front surfaces, mountingfeatures, openings, holes, notches, cutouts or other features. Glassmember 20 may be a primary structural component of device 10. Internalcomponents, mounting members, device housings or other components ofdevice 10 may be mounted to the primary structural member formed byglass member 20. Glass member 20 may provide resistance to bending,squeezing, twisting or other forces that may deform device 10. Glassmember 20 may provide impact protection for device 10 in the event of adrop. Glass member 20 may have a thickness that allows glass member 20to provide structural rigidity for device 10 such as a thickness from0.6 mm to 1 mm, from 0.6 mm to 2 mm, from 0.8 mm to 1 mm, from 0.6 mm to0.8 mm, more than 0.6 mm or less than 2 mm.

Device 10 may include a housing such as enclosure 12. Enclosure 12,(sometimes referred to as a case, thin enclosure, housing, housingstructure, or thin housing), may be formed of plastic, glass, ceramics,fiber composites, metal (e.g., stainless steel, aluminum, etc.), othersuitable materials, or a combination of these materials. In somesituations, parts of enclosure 12 may be formed from dielectric or otherlow-conductivity material. In other situations, enclosure 12 or at leastsome of the structures that make up enclosure 12 may be formed frommetal elements. Enclosure 12 may include a rear enclosure structure suchas a planar glass member, plastic structures, metal structures,fiber-composite structures, or other structures. Enclosure 12 may alsohave sidewall structures. The sidewall structures may be formed fromextended bent portions of the rear enclosure structure or may be formedfrom one or more separate members. Enclosure 12 may form a cosmeticcovering for internal components of device 10. Enclosure 12 may providerear impact protection for device 10 in the event of a drop of device10. Enclosure 12 may form a fire enclosure for device 10. Enclosure 12may include one or more ergonomic features such as curved surfaces,plastic gripping members, or other features for improving the feel of adevice in, for example, the hand of a user. Some or all of enclosure 12may be radio-transparent, (i.e., may allow radio wavelengthcommunications to pass) while other portions of enclosure 12 may blockradio communications. Enclosure 12 may be mounted to glass supportmember 20. Portions of enclosure 12 may be mounted to internalcomponents of device 10. Enclosure 12 may have a thickness that is lessthan the thickness of glass member 20. Enclosure 12 may have a rigiditythat is less resistive to bending, twisting, breaking or otherwisedeforming of enclosure 12 than glass member 20 is resistive to bending,twisting, breaking or otherwise deforming of glass member 20. Mountingenclosure 12 to glass member 20 may prevent enclosure 12 from deformingunder typical bending, twisting, breaking, squeezing or other deformingforces exerted on enclosure 12 during normal use of device 10.

A bezel or other peripheral member may partially or completely surrounddevice 10 running along the interface between enclosure 12 and astructural glass support member such as structural glass support member20. The bezel may, for example, be formed from a conductive material.With the illustrative configuration shown in FIG. 1 , enclosure 12includes a peripheral member such as peripheral member 22. Peripheralmember 22 may have vertical sidewall structures, curved or angledsidewall structures, or other suitable shapes. Peripheral member 22 maybe formed from stainless steel or other metals or other conductive ornon-conductive materials such as plastics (e.g., polycarbonate,acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, polycarbonate acrylonitrile butadienestyrene, thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), etc.), silicon, rubber, orother materials. In some configurations, peripheral member 22 may form aprotective member that protects an edge, hole, flange or other featureof structural glass support member 20. In some configurations,peripheral member 22 may form a mounting structure for mountingenclosure 12 to structural glass support member 20.

Device 10 may have a flexible or rigid display such as display 14.Display structures such as liquid crystal display components, organiclight emitting diodes, indium tin oxide electrodes, color filters,polarizers, or other display structures may be covered by glass member20. Display 14 may be formed from multiple layers of material. Theselayers may include a touch sensor layer such as a layer on which apattern of indium tin oxide (ITO) electrodes or other suitabletransparent electrodes have been deposited to form a capacitive touchsensor array. These layers may also include a layer that contains anarray of display pixels. The touch sensor layer and the display layermay be formed using flexible sheets of polymer or other substrateshaving thicknesses of 10 microns to 0.5 mm or other suitable thicknesses(as an example). Display 14 may be mounted to glass member 20 of device10 using adhesives such as Pressure Sensitive Adhesive (PSA), foam-PSAlaminate, liquid adhesive, or using discrete bonding members such asscrews, snaps, fasteners, rivets or other mounting structures oradhesives. Layers of display 14 may be bonded to other layers of display14 using transparent or opaque adhesives. Transparent or opaqueadhesives used to bond touch-layers, display-layers and other layers ofdisplay 14 to each other may be formed so that adhesive bonds betweenlayers are strong enough to withstand pulling, twisting, bending orother forces that may be exerted on display 14 by device members such asglass member 20 or internal components mounted on a side of display 14opposing a side of display 14 that is mounted to glass member 20.

The display pixel array may be, for example, an organic light-emittingdiode (OLED) array. Other types of flexible or rigid display pixelarrays may also be formed (e.g., electronic ink displays, LCD displays,etc.). The use of OLED technology to form display 14 is sometimesdescribed herein as an example. This is, however, merely illustrative.Display 14 may be formed using any suitable display technology that isable to withstand forces associated with mounting glass structures andcomponents to opposing sides of the display. The use of flexibledisplays that are based on OLED technology is merely illustrative.

Device 10 may be provided with internal components such as logic boards,printed circuit boards, integrated circuits, memory and storage,batteries, input-output components, etc. Internal components may bemounted to other internal components, may be mounted to display 14, ormay be mounted to glass member 20. Enclosure 12 may form a housing thatsurrounds internal components of device 10. Enclosure 12 may be mountedexclusively or in part to internal components of device 10.

An exploded cross-sectional side view of an illustrative device 10having a structural glass support member and internal components isshown in FIG. 2 . In the example of FIG. 2 , glass member 20 issubstantially planar. Glass member 20 may be provided with mountingfeatures for mounting an enclosure such as enclosure 12 to glass member20. Mounting features may include one or more holes 42 in glass member20, protrusions from a peripheral edge such as surface features 44,ridges such as flanges 48 or other mounting features.

As shown in FIG. 2 , device 10 may be provided with adhesive layers 34for mounting device components to structural glass support member 20.Device components such as display 14 may be attached to structural glasssupport member 20 using adhesive 34. Adhesive 34 may be a PressureSensitive Adhesive (PSA), a foam-PSA laminate, a liquid adhesive, orother adhesive. Adhesive 34 may be a transparent (e.g., opticallytransmissive) or opaque adhesive. Device 10 may be provided withoperational (electrical) components such as internal components 30.Internal components 30 may include logic boards, printed circuit boards,rigid or flexible circuitry, integrated circuits, memory and storage,batteries, input-output components such as speakers, actuators, etc. orother components. Internal components 30 may be constructed so thatinternal components 30 are able to withstand loads (e.g., pressures,forces, heat loads, etc.) associated with other components 30, display14, enclosure 12 or other device components that are attached tointernal components 30. For example, internal components 30 may includea battery cell or laminated package of battery cells laminated into asingle structured battery pack so that, the battery is able to supportother internal components 30, display 14, enclosure 12 or other devicecomponents that may be attached to the battery. Device 10 may beprovided with a heat conducting member such as mid-plate 32. Mid-plate32 may be interposed between display 14 and other internal components30. Conductive mid-plate 30 may help prevent heat from accumulating in aparticular portion of device 10. Conductive mid-plate 30 may helpconduct heat away from display 14 or components 30. Mid-plate 30 may bemounted to display 14 using one of adhesive layers 34. Other componentsmay be mounted to mid-plate 30 using one of adhesive layers 34. This ismerely illustrative. Device 10 may be provided without a heat conductingmid-plate such as mid-plate 32, if desired.

As shown in FIG. 2 , enclosure 12 may have a rear portion 38 that formsa rear surface for device 10. Enclosure 12 may have bent portions 36that form sidewall surfaces for device 10. Bent portions 36 and rearportion 38 of enclosure 12 may be formed from a single structure or maybe formed from multiple joined structures. Enclosure 12 may be formedfrom plastic, glass, ceramics, fiber composites, metal (e.g., stainlesssteel, aluminum, etc.), other suitable materials, or a combination ofthese materials.

Enclosure 12 may be attached to internal components 30 using one ofadhesive layers 34. If desired, device 10 may be provided withperipheral members 22. Peripheral members 22 may be molded peripheralmembers that are molded to have a particular shape. Molded peripheralmembers may be molded into engagement with mounting features on glassmember 20. Peripheral members 22 may be formed from stainless steel orother metals or other conductive or non-conductive materials such asplastic, silicon, rubber, thermoplastic polyurethane, or othermaterials. In some configurations, peripheral member 22 may form aprotective member that protects a peripheral edge, a hole, a flange orany other feature of structural glass support member 20. Portions ofperipheral members 22 may be formed on edges, in holes 42, aroundflanges 48, over surface features 44 or on other portions of glassmember 20. Peripheral members 22 may help protect portions of glassmember 20 that are particularly vulnerable to damage due to impacts,twisting, squeezing or other forces on glass member 20 during normal useof device 10. In some configurations, peripheral member 22 may form amounting structure for mounting enclosure 12 to structural glass supportmember 20. Peripheral member 22 may be mounted to glass member 20 usingholes 42, flanges 48, surface features 44 or other mounting featuresassociated with glass member 20. Enclosure 12 may be mounted to glassmember 20 using peripheral members 22 and, if desired, mounting featuressuch as holes 46 on enclosure 12. Holes 46 may be formed on bentportions 36 of enclosure 12 or may be formed on other portions such asrear portion 38 of enclosure 12. In some configurations, enclosure 12may be formed without bent portions 36. In configurations in whichenclosure 12 is formed without bent portions 36, holes 46 may be formedin rear portion 38 of enclosure 12. The example of FIG. 2 in which glassmember 20 is substantially planar is merely illustrative. Glass member20 may have other shapes. Glass member 20 may have an interior surface86 interior to device 10 and an exterior surface 89 that forms at leasta portion of an exterior surface of device 10.

A cross-sectional side view showing how glass member 20 of device 10 mayhave a convex outer surface is shown in FIG. 3 . As shown in FIG. 3 ,structural glass support member 20 may have a convex exterior (outer)surface 54 and an opposing concave interior (inner) surface 56. Inconfigurations in which glass member 20 has a concave inner surface,display 14 may be a flexible display that is attached to concave innersurface 56 of glass member 20 using adhesive layer 34. In configurationsin which display 14 is attached to concave inner surface 56 so thatdisplay 14 conforms to the concave shape of concave inner surface 56,device 10 may be provided with spacing members such as spacers 52 thatallow internal components 30 having planar surfaces to attach to acurved flexible display 14. Spacers 52 may be attached to display 14using one of adhesive layers 34. Internal components 30 may be attachedto spacers 52 using one of adhesive layers 34. Enclosure 12 may beattached to glass member 20 using peripheral members and mountingfeatures such as holes 46. Enclosure 12 may be attached to glass member20 using adhesive attachments to internal components 30 interposedbetween enclosure 12 and glass member 20 using one or more of adhesivelayers 34. Glass member 20 may have a concave interior surface such assurface 56 and may be provided with mounting features such as holes 42,flanges 48, surface features 44 or other mounting features. Mountingfeatures may be formed on interior surface 56, exterior surface 54, aperipheral edge of glass member 20, may be formed partially inside andpartially outside, wholly inside, or wholly outside, of glass member 20.

A cross-sectional side view showing how glass member 20 of device 10 mayhave a planar front surface 60 and bent sidewall surfaces 62 forming aU-channel is shown in FIG. 4 . Glass member 20 may have an interiorsurface 86 interior to device 10 and an exterior surface 89 that formsat least a portion of an exterior surface of device 10. As shown in FIG.4 , in configurations in which glass member 20 has a planar frontsurface 60 and bent sidewall surfaces 62, display 14 may be a flexibledisplay having bent portions 64 that conform to sidewall surfaces 62 ofglass member 20. Sidewall portions 62 of glass member 20 may be providedwith mounting features such as holes 42, flanges 48, surface features 44or other mounting features. In order to provide additional protectionagainst damage due to an impact of an external object to glass member20, glass member 20 may be provided with one or more bumper members suchas bumpers 66. Bumpers 66 may be formed from plastic, silicon, rubber,thermoplastic polyurethane, or other materials. Bumpers 66 may be formedin notches or cutouts on an external surface of glass member 20.

A cross-sectional side view showing how device 10 may be provided withglass member 20 that forms a front surface 60 and sidewall surfaces 62may be combined with a second structural glass support member 62′forming a rear surface 70 and sidewall portions 62′ is shown in FIG. 5 .Glass member 20 may have an interior surface 86 interior to device 10and an exterior surface 89 that forms at least a portion of an exteriorsurface of device 10. As shown in FIG. 5 , sidewall portions 62 of glassmember 20 and sidewall portions 62′ of glass member 20′ may form, asidewall for device 10. Second structural glass support member 20′ maybe attached to structural glass support member 20 using peripheralmembers 22. Glass member 20 and glass member 20′ may be provided withmounting features such as holes 42, surface features 44, flanges 48 orother mounting features for attaching peripheral members 22 to glassmembers 20 and 20′. In configurations in which rear surface 70 andportions of device sidewall surfaces such as sidewall surfaces 62′ areformed from transparent glass, device 10 may be provided with an opaquemashing layer such as opaque masking layer 72. Opaque masking layer 72may be formed on an inner surface of glass member 20′. Opaque maskinglayer 72 may be formed from black ink, black plastic film, silver ink,silver plastic film or opaque masking material of another color. Theexample of FIG. 5 in which multiple glass members (i.e., glass members20 and 20′) form front, rear and sidewall surfaces for device 10 ismerely illustrative.

If desired, glass front, rear, and sidewall surfaces may be formed froma hollow glass member as shown in FIG. 6 . In the example of FIG. 6 ,structural glass support member 20 forms front surface 60, rear surface70 and sidewall surfaces 62 for device 10. In this example, structuralglass support member is a single, hollow, tubular glass structure. Inconfigurations in which glass member 20 is a single tubular glassstructure, display 14 may be attached to internal components 30 prior toinsertion into the interior of glass member 20. Display 14 and internalcomponents 30 may be inserted as a single unit into glass member 20during assembly of device 10. In configurations in which rear surface 70and portions of device sidewall surfaces 62 are formed from transparentglass, device 10 may be provided with an opaque masking layer such asopaque masking layer 72.

FIGS. 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11 show illustrative embodiments of mountingstructures associated with structural glass support member 20 forattaching enclosure 12 to glass member 20. As shown in FIG. 7 , glassmember 20 may be provided with one or more protrusions from interiorsurface 86 of glass member such as flanges 48. Portion 78 of enclosure12 may be attached to structural glass support member 20 by attachingportion 78 to flange 48 using an adhesive such as adhesive 74. Adhesive74 may be a PSA, a foam-PSA laminate, a liquid adhesive, or otheradhesive. Portion 76 of glass member 20 of FIG. 7 may be a portion oftop surface 60 or may be a portion of sidewall surface 62 of glassmember 20. In configurations in which portion 76 is a portion of topsurface 60 of device 10, portion 78 of enclosure 12 may be portion ofbent portion 36 of enclosure 12 (see, e.g., FIG. 2 ). In configurationsin which portion 76 is a portion of sidewall surface 62 of device 10,portion 78 of enclosure 12 may be portion of rear portion 38 ofenclosure 12 (see, e.g., FIG. 2 ). If desired, portion 78 may beattached to flange 48 using other attaching mechanisms such asfasteners, screws, welds, clips, etc.

As shown in FIG. 8 , mounting features of structural glass supportmember 20 may include a notch such as notch 80. Notch 80 may be cut,etched, cast, molded, machined, or otherwise formed on glass member 20.Portion 82 of thin enclosure 12 may be mounted to notch 80 of glassmember 20 using adhesive 74 or any other attaching mechanism. Glassmember 20 may have an interior surface 86 interior to device 10 and anexterior surface 89 that forms at least a portion of an exterior surfaceof device 10. Portion 76 of glass member 20 of FIG. 8 may be a portionof top surface 60 or may be a portion of sidewall surface 62 of glassmember 20. In configurations in which portion 76 is a portion of topsurface 60 of device 10, portion 78 of enclosure 12 may be portion ofbent portion 36 of enclosure 12 (see, e.g., FIG. 2 ) and portion 82 mayform a further bent portion of enclosure 12. In configurations in whichportion 76 is a portion of sidewall surface 62 of device 10, portion 78of enclosure 12 may be portion of rear portion 38 of enclosure 12 (see,e.g., FIG. 2 ) and portion 82 may be a portion of bent portion 36 ofenclosure 12.

As shown in FIG. 9 , enclosure 12 may include a curved portion 84 forattaching enclosure 12 to bent sidewall portion 62 of structural glasssupport member 20 of device 10. Curved portion 84 may be provided forattaching bent portion 36 of enclosure 12 to interior surface 86 ofglass support member 20. Curved portion 84 may be attached to interiorsurface 86 using adhesive 74 or any other attaching mechanism.

As shown in FIG. 10 , device 10 may be provided with attachment memberssuch as attachment member 87. Attachment member 87 may be attached tointerior surface 86 of glass member 20. Attachment member may beattached to interior surface 86 of bent sidewall portion 62 of glassmember 20 using an adhesive such as adhesive 74. Housing 12 may beattached to glass member 20 using a fastener such as fastener 88.Fastener 88 may pass through enclosure 12 and into attachment member 87.Fastener 88 may be a screw or other fastener, clip, protrusion or otherengagement feature for engaging attachment member 88. Attachment member87 may be mounted adjacent to sidewall portion 62 of glass member 20 sothat sidewall portion 62 forms a sidewall for device 10 and enclosure 12forms rear surface 70 of device 10.

As shown in FIG. 11 , mounting features of structural glass supportmember 20 may include openings such as holes 42 in glass member 20.Holes 42 in glass member 20 may be aligned with corresponding holes 90in enclosure 12. Openings such as holes 42 may extend from exteriorsurface 89 to interior surface 86 of glass member 20. Holes 42 in glassmember 20 and holes 90 in enclosure 12 may be used to attach portion 78of enclosure 12 to portion 76 of glass member 20 using screws or otherfasteners (e.g., by inserting fasteners such as fasteners 88 throughholes 42 into holes 90), or using peripheral members 22 (see, e.g., FIG.2 ) by filling holes 42 and holes 90 with molded plastic or othermaterial. In the example of FIG. 11 , holes 42 and holes 90 aresubstantially linear holes. This is merely illustrative. Holes 42 andholes 90 may include bends or curves that provide openings in multiplesurfaces of glass member 20 and enclosure 12, respectively (e.g. holes42 may extend from interior surface 86 to peripheral edge 94 of glassmember 20, if desired). Portion 76 of glass member 20 of FIG. 11 may bea portion of top surface 60 or may be a portion of sidewall surface 62of glass member 20. In configurations in which portion 76 is a portionof top surface 60 of device 10, portion 78 of enclosure 12 may beportion of bent portion 36 of enclosure 12 (see, e.g., FIG. 2 ). Inconfigurations in which portion 76 is a portion of sidewall surface 62of device 10, portion 78 of enclosure 12 may be portion of rear portion38 of enclosure 12 (see, e.g., FIG. 2 ). In the example of FIG. 11 ,glass member 20 may be substantially planar or may be curved asindicated by dashed lines 93.

Providing electronic devices such as device 10 with structural glasssupport members with mounting features may produce portions of the glass(e.g., edges, holes, protrusions, flanges) that are relatively morevulnerable to failure or fracture due to pressures, impacts or otherevents during normal usage of device 10. For this reason, portions ofglass member 20 may be provided with protective members for protectingthose portions from failure. Protective members may be formed from aportion of peripheral member 22 (see, e.g., FIG. 2 ) or may be separateprotective members.

FIGS. 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, and 18 show embodiments of protectivemembers attached to portions of structural glass support member 20. FIG.12 is a top view of structural glass member 20 with holes 42 around atleast a portion of the periphery of glass member 20. Holes 42 in glassmember 20 may be used for attaching enclosure 12 to glass member 20.Holes 42 may be formed around a portion of the periphery of glass member20 or may be formed around substantially all of the periphery of glassmember 20. As shown in FIG. 12 , holes 42 may be partially filled withprotective members 92. Protective member 92 may be formed from metal,plastic, TPU, silicon, rubber, composite materials or other materials.

As shown in FIGS. 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, and 18 , protective members may beformed from a portion of a peripheral member such as peripheral member22 (see, e.g., FIG. 2 ). Peripheral member 22 may include a portion thatcovers a peripheral edge such as edge 94 of structural glass supportmember 20.

As shown in FIG. 14 , peripheral member 22 may include portion thatcovers a mounting feature such as flange 48 of structural glass supportmember 20.

As shown in FIGS. 15, 16, and 17 , edge 94 of structural glass supportmember 20 may be provided with mounting features (sometimes referred toherein as engagement features) such as surface features 44. Surfacefeatures 44 may help attach a protective member such as peripheralmember 22 to edge 94 of glass member 20. Surface features 44 may be cut,etched, cast, molded, machined, or otherwise formed on edge 94 of glassmember 20. Peripheral members 22 may be attached to edge 94 of glassmember 20 using adhesive, molding, or other attachment mechanisms. As anexample, peripheral members 22 may be molded into engagement withsurface features 44 of edge 94. As shown in FIG. 15 , surface features44 may be smooth curves on edge 94 of glass member 20. Smooth curvesurface features may increase the surface area of edge 94 for attachingperipheral member 22 to glass member 20.

As shown in FIG. 16 , surface features 44 may include surface roughnesson edge 94 of glass member 20 that helps attach an edge protectingmember such as peripheral member 22 to edge 94 of glass member 20.

As shown in FIG. 17 surface features 44 may include patterned structuralattachment features that provide multiple surfaces such as surfaces 96,98 and 99 that help attach an edge protecting member such as peripheralmember 22 to edge 94 of glass member 20. Some surfaces such as surfaces98 and 99 may be configured to form an acute angle such as angle 95 withperipheral edge 94 of glass member 20. Angle 95 may be less than 90degrees, less than 80 degrees, less than 70 degrees, less than 60degrees, less than 50 degrees, less than 30 degrees, less than 20degrees, less than 10 degrees or less than 5 degrees. Providing mountingfeatures such as surface features 44 having multiple surfaces includingsurfaces that form acute angles with peripheral edge 94 of glass member20 may help lock a molded protective member such as protective member 22onto peripheral edge 94 of glass member 20.

As shown in FIG. 18 , a protective member such as peripheral member 22may be formed on edge 94 of glass member 20 by molding (e.g., injectionmolding) peripheral member onto edge 94 and into mounting features suchas holes 42 in glass member 20. Peripheral member 22 may be formed onone edge, two edges, three edges, four edges, or all edges of glassmember 20. Peripheral member 22 may cover a portion of an edge such asedge 94 or may cover substantially all of an edge such as edge 94.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a portion of device 10 having aperipheral member 22 that protects edge 94 of structural glass supportmember 20 and attaches enclosure 12 to structural glass support member20. As shown in FIG. 19 , structural glass support member 20 may includemounting features such as holes 42. Enclosure 12 may include openingssuch as holes 46. Peripheral member 22 may be attached to edge 94 ofglass member 20 by molding peripheral member 22 into holes 42 in glassmember 20 and holes 46 in enclosure 12. Peripheral member 22 may bemolded so that a portion of peripheral member 22 is formed in holes 42and holes 46. Portion 76 of glass member 20 of FIG. 19 may be a portionof top surface 60 or may be a portion of sidewall surface 62 of glassmember 20. In configurations in which portion 76 is a portion of topsurface 60 of device 10, portion 78 of enclosure 12 may be portion ofbent portion 36 of enclosure 12 (see, e.g., FIG. 2 ). In configurationsin which portion 76 is a portion of sidewall surface 62 of device 10,portion 78 of enclosure 12 may be portion of rear portion 38 ofenclosure 12 (see, e.g., FIG. 2 ). In the example of FIG. 19 , holes 42have a portion that is parallel to surface 76 of glass member 20 and aportion that is perpendicular to surface 76 of glass member 20. This ismerely illustrative.

If desired, holes 42 in glass member 20 may be substantially straight,as shown in FIG. 20 . As shown in FIG. 20 , peripheral member 22 mayhelp protect edge 94 of structural glass support member 20 and attachenclosure 12 to bent portion 62 of structural glass support member 20.In the example of FIG. 20 , structural glass support member 20 mayinclude mounting features such as holes 42. Enclosure 12 may includeopenings such as holes 46. Peripheral member 22 may be attached to edge94 of glass member 20 by molding peripheral member 22 into holes 42 inglass member 20 and holes 46 in enclosure 12. Peripheral member 22 maybe molded so that a portion of peripheral member 22 is formed in holes42 and holes 46. Providing device 10 with a peripheral member such asperipheral member 22 that attaches glass member 20 to enclosure 12 ismerely illustrative.

If desired, peripheral member 22 may be used to attach structural glasssupport member 20 to an additional glass member such as glass member 20′as shown in FIG. 21 . In the example of FIG. 21 , a glass member 20 andglass member 20′ include mounting features such as holes 42 and 42′respectively. Peripheral member 22 may be molded so that portions ofperipheral member 22 are formed in holes 42 and 42′. Forming portions ofperipheral member 22 in holes 42 and 42′ may form an attachment betweenglass members 20 and 20′ respectively. In configurations in which device10 is provided with a front glass member such as glass member 20 and arear glass member such as rear glass member 20′, rear glass member 20′be provided with an opaque masking layer such as opaque masking layer72. Opaque masking layer 72 may allow device 10 to have an outer surfacethat is substantially all glass while blocking internal components ofdevice 10 from the view of a user of device 10.

The foregoing is merely illustrative of the principles of this inventionand various modifications can be made by those skilled in the artwithout departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. An electronic device comprising: a display; anupper glass member comprising: a first planar region positioned over thedisplay and defining a front surface of the electronic device; and asecond region extending from the first planar region and defining afirst portion of a side surface of the electronic device; a lower glassmember defining a rear surface of the electronic device; and a metalmember coupled to the upper glass member and the lower glass member anddefining a second portion of the side surface of the electronic device.2. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the second region of theupper glass member defines a convex curved exterior surface.
 3. Theelectronic device of claim 2, wherein the metal member extends around aperiphery of the electronic device.
 4. The electronic device of claim 2,wherein the upper glass member defines an opening for an input element.5. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the rear surface of theelectronic device defines a planar region.
 6. The electronic device ofclaim 1, further comprising a battery positioned in an internal cavitydefined at least in part by the upper glass member, the lower glassmember, and the metal member.
 7. The electronic device of claim 6,wherein the electronic device is an electronic watch.
 8. An electronicwatch comprising: a display; a front glass member positioned over thedisplay and defining a front wall and an upper portion of a sidewall ofthe electronic watch; a rear dielectric member defining a rear wall ofthe electronic watch; and a peripheral member coupled to the front andthe rear dielectric member and the rear dielectric member and defining alower portion of the sidewall of the electronic watch.
 9. The electronicwatch of claim 8, wherein the upper portion of the sidewall defines acurved exterior surface.
 10. The electronic watch of claim 9, whereinthe front wall defines a planar exterior surface.
 11. The electronicwatch of claim 9, wherein: the display is a flexible display; the upperportion of the sidewall further defines a curved interior surface; andthe flexible display confirms to the curved interior surface.
 12. Theelectronic watch of claim 9, wherein the peripheral member is formedfrom a metal.
 13. The electronic watch of claim 12, wherein the metal isstainless steel.
 14. The electronic watch of claim 8, wherein the reardielectric member comprises glass.
 15. An electronic device comprising:a lower glass member defining a rear exterior surface of the electronicdevice; a metal member coupled to the lower glass member and defining aside exterior surface of the electronic device; an upper glass membercoupled to the metal member and defining: a planar region defining atleast a portion of a front exterior surface of the electronic device;and a curved region extending from the planar region to the metalmember; and a touch-sensitive display positioned below at least theplanar region of the upper glass member.
 16. The electronic device ofclaim 15, wherein: the side exterior surface defined by the metal memberis a second side exterior surface of the electronic device; and a curvedexterior surface defined by the upper glass member defines a first sideexterior surface of the electronic device.
 17. The electronic device ofclaim 16, wherein: the lower glass member further defines an interiorsurface; and an opaque layer is provided along at least a portion of theinterior surface.
 18. The electronic device of claim 16, wherein themetal member is configured to protect a peripheral edge of the upperglass member.
 19. The electronic device of claim 16, wherein theelectronic device further comprises a protective member formed from aplastic material and extending along a peripheral edge of the upperglass member.
 20. The electronic device of claim 15, wherein: the planarregion of the upper glass member further defines a planar interiorsurface opposite a planarfront exterior surface; and the touch-sensitivedisplay is coupled to the planar interior surface.